March 7, 2018, the day of the 2018 3D InCites Awards Ceremony, dawned chillier than normal for this time of year in Fountain Hills, AZ. As they enjoyed their breakfast on the terrace outside the conference center, attendees of the 14th Annual iMAPS Device Packaging Conference (iMAPS DPC), may have noticed an artist hard at work creating an original mural that would later provide a backdrop to commemorate the 2018 3D InCites Awards Ceremony, scheduled to take place that evening.

On loan for the day from Kiterocket, graphic designer and illustrator, Ronna Encarnacion started her masterpiece at 7:30 AM. For each $500 donation, Ronna drew the company logo, freehand, into to her artwork. Donations of less than $500 got your name added. She worked throughout the day, not even pausing for lunch, as the donations came in and onlookers watched her progress. We called in reinforcements at about 3:00 PM. Sharpie in hand, Taylor Lineberger, Kiterocket’s senior designer, pitched in to help put the finishing touches. They finished at about 5:30 PM, a mere 11 hours after Ronna started, just in time for the evening festivities to begin.

A little while later, the 3D InCites Awards Ceremony, hosted by iMAPS and sponsored by KLA-Tencor and EV Group, got underway with a quiz about the 3D InCites Awards, and its winners. Teams lead by Steve Hiebert, KLA-Tencor, and Dave Kirsch, EV Group, vied for the grand prize, a 3D InCites banner ad or eNL blast, and the opportunity to wear the 3D InCites crown for the evening. Awards were presented, photos were taken, and everyone tucked into a hearty barbeque dinner.

I may be biased, but I think this was the best 3D InCites Awards Ceremony ever! You can check out who won the awards here. I’d like to thank everyone who participated in making this year’s even such a huge success, especially the iMAPS team. And of course, an extra special shout out to Ronna for creating such a masterpiece. We’re already looking forward to next year! ~ FvT